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24 Hours at the Capitol Power Plant

The mission of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) continues year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our buildings never sleep, and the work never stops. This is especially true for the dedicated workers at the Capitol Power Plant.
By Erin Nelson | September 19, 2022
        
                  Image
    Gary Bowser inspects a boiler fan to ensure that it is properly lubricated and that safety systems are working correctly.

Gary Bowser inspects a boiler fan to ensure that it is properly lubricated and that safety systems are working correctly.

Tucked away near the U.S. Capitol and off the beaten path of a typical tour is the 4.7 acres that comprise the Capitol Power Plant. You may not know it's there, but you feel and see the impacts of its work every time you step inside buildings on the Capitol campus.

There are 109 people who work in various shops, supporting the plant's four divisions: Engineering and Maintenance, Operations, Utility Services, and Business Operations. Their primary mission has always been to provide steam and chilled water that heats and cools buildings throughout the campus, but with the recent AOC reorganization, the Capitol Power Plant now includes the Distribution High Voltage and Electronics Branch, previously with the Office of the Chief Engineer. Now their work stretches beyond the miles of pipes delivering utilities and touches every office on Capitol Hill.

Twenty-four hours a day the Capitol Power Plant brings heat in the winter and A/C for those humid D.C. summer days, and now Capitol Power Plant staff also provide cable television, ensure the congressional call and clock system runs on time, and manage all high-voltage electrical systems across the campus. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the Capitol Power Plant and its critical workforce.

Engineering and Maintenance

The Engineering and Maintenance Division's day starts early at 4:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. The many shops of the division provide support for the Capitol Power Plant's equipment by maintaining and calibrating the plant's boilers, chillers, auxiliary equipment and pumps.

The shops in the division are run by Bernard Warnowicz, Capitol Power Plant Maintenance General Supervisor who hits his 15th anniversary of working for the AOC this fall. In those years he's seen people and equipment come and go, but the commitment remains the same, "I am very proud of my work here. When I put this uniform on, with the logo of the Capitol Building, I'm reminded that I was hired, not just for my expertise, but for the devotion to what we do. I know I'm here for a reason and that our work is important to Congress."

Charton Cortes, AOC Instrumentation Controls Technician at the Capitol Power Plant.
    Darrin Weedon, AOC Instrumentation Controls Technician at the Capitol Power Plant.
    Dennis Deahl, AOC Instrumentation Controls Technician at the Capitol Power Plant.
    
Charton Cortes, Dennis Deahl and Darrin Weedon, Instrumentation Controls Technicians at the Capitol Power Plant.


He has also spent that time perfecting the analogy for his division's varied work, "If you were to compare our work to the maintenance needs of your car, we're the ones who change the oil, check the air in your tires, troubleshoot your battery issues and figure out why the check engine light is on."

And thanks to modern technology, they're able to operate and troubleshoot more efficiently and are continually looking for ways to improve performance and reliability. The team relies on small transmitters located throughout the plant to help monitor all aspects of the operations. The transmitters are the "heart and soul" of the plant according to Dennis Deahl, Instrumentation Controls Technician, as they allow staff to track hundreds of items from a control room. Technology also helps staff monitor for any potential environmental impacts, which are always top of mind.

"It's absolutely critical that we don't have any environmental impacts. We do everything we can to prevent and monitor for impacts to protect the environment, but also everyone who visits and works on Capitol Hill," said Greg Cobb, Supervisor of the Instrumentation and Controls Shop.

Operations

If the Engineering and Maintenance Division is akin to your car mechanic, the Operations Division is responsible for driving the car. Division staff run the daily operations of the Capitol Power Plant's equipment. The Power Plant Operators work in four rotating shifts, consisting of 12-hour rotations and are on duty seven days a week.

They spend their hours monitoring equipment, forecasting the weather — factoring in how much energy will be needed to ensure adequate temperatures in the buildings — and performing inspections to ensure personal protective equipment is well-stocked and the equipment is working as it should throughout the plant.

Alba Dalton, AOC Industrial Control System Specialist at the Capitol Power Plant.

Knovell Scott, AOC Power Plant Operator at the Capitol Power Plant.

Knovell Scott, Power Plant Operator, and Alba Dalton, Industrial Control System Specialist.


As shifts change, the group leaving provides "the skinny" or an overview of the operations from their shift to coordinate actions to keep the plant running seamlessly.

While they joke about making output decisions based on achy joints, they rely on weather forecasts to make operational decisions but must also account for temperature fluctuations that can be impacted by something as simple as the number of times someone opens a door to enter or exit a building. It’s a complicated and delicate balance.

But the self-described tight-knit group works together to get  the job done, a job they're very proud to do. "Our work is a big part of what happens here, especially for the special events. We make sure that no equipment goes down and nothing goes wrong. It is an honor and privilege for me to be here at the Capitol and serve my nation," said Joe Shields, Power Plant Operator Assistant Supervisor.

Utility Services

One recent addition to the Capitol Power Plant jurisdiction and its Utility Services Division is the Electronics Branch. Their work is similar to the benefits you receive from your cable provider, alarm clock and sound system. They work in multiple shifts and remain available to troubleshoot any immediate issues when Congress is in session.

This team oversees many critical systems that run across campus including the congressional cable television system, alerts from the congressional call and clock system, and the audio support for congressional events. To ensure everything runs smoothly 24/7, they provide ongoing maintenance and respond to the service requests related to the various systems.

Christopher Bingaman, AOC Power Plant Operator at the Capitol Power Plant.
    John DeLorenzo, AOC Electronics Mechanic Leader at the Capitol Power Plant.
    Andre Roy, AOC Electronics Technician at the Capitol Power Plant.
    
Christopher Bingaman, Power Plant Operator; Andre Roy, Electronics Technician; and John DeLorenzo, Electronics Mechanic Leader.


Their work is very much behind the scenes, but is felt throughout congressional offices. "The public doesn't see us, but they see the results of our work. I take great pride in my job to support Congress," said Darryl Adams, Electronics Mechanic Supervisor.

Adams has been working for the AOC for 34 years and is one of the more senior employees on his team. His supervisor, Robert Gatewood, also has decades of experience in the utilities industry and has been with the AOC since 2007. He is actively preparing the next generation to continue the important work of his team, "I currently have eight certified technicians and four more who are fully licensed." He knows how critical it is to protect the institutional knowledge by passing it on to those that will be the future leaders and technicians, ensuring the congressional systems run just as smoothly in the years to come.

Business Operations

Much like a service center, the Business Operations Division is responsible for the administrative and business services that serve the core needs of the Capitol Power Plant. It also supports the communication, collaboration and coordination between the other divisions of the plant.

A typical day for this team does not exist. As changing plant conditions evolve, staff are required to be agile, responsive and resilient in their efforts to assist the other divisions, ensuring they can continue providing the campus with 24/7 uninterrupted service. Whether it's processing a requisition for an emergency repair, tracking rare spare parts and inventory across multiple shops, or ensuring all of the unique timecards are certified correctly, the Business Operations Division knows to expect the unexpected.

"The Business Operations Division is staffed by a hardworking, dedicated group of individuals who operate as a centralized point of service for the plant. I'm honored to work alongside so many highly skilled and dedicated employees who are committed to the Capitol Power Plant and its mission," said Doreen Ferrington, Administrative Officer for Business Operations.

One Team, One Mission

Like many other AOC employees, the staff supporting the Capitol Power Plant's 24/7 operations are proud to serve their nation while making it possible for Congress to perform its work.

"The Capitol Power Plant is a team of experts, extremely dedicated to serving the buildings and people on Capitol Hill," said Christopher Potter, Director of Utilities and Power Plant Operations. "And now that we've implemented the Architect of the Capitol's vision of consolidating all utilities into a single jurisdiction, we look forward to building on our past success and achieving even more effective and efficient utility services."
Comments
    
  
    
MICHAEL J LILLY (not verified)PermalinkSeptember 19, 2022 - 2:10pmGreat photo tour of the plant, appreciate what you people do.
ReplyCharles Badal (not verified)PermalinkSeptember 21, 2022 - 10:19amThank you, Erin Nelson, for your very insightful article highlighting the dedicated and expert staff of the Capitol Power Plant.  This is an important reminder of the many "behind the scenes" Architect of the Capitol staff that make the work of the Congress possible. Also of note are the excellent photographs.
ReplySandi Damitz (not verified)PermalinkJanuary 28, 2023 - 12:15amIt was great to read about the Capitol Power Plant since I had visited Washington, DC in September of 2020 and hope to return in the future for a more detailed visit.  I am retired from Pacific Gas & Electric Company in Northern California.  I worked as an Operator at their Geysers Geothermal Power Plant facility in Lake and Sonoma Counties until 2000 when PG&E sold the Geysers to Calpine.  I was extremely saddened to no longer be able to work at the Geysers and retired 11 years later from the clerical side of the company with 33 years of service.  Working as an Operator at this facility was the best job and experience I had in my working career (especially as a woman in a male dominated position).  I would love to be able to tour your facility when I return to Washington, DC in the future.  Thanks so much for your pictures and story about the Capitol Power Plant.
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